Fibrous elastic gel cleansing article

Abstract

An article that is especially suitable for cleansing skin is described which includes a foamable composition having the form of an elastic semi-solid gel and a fibrous layer made up of a continuous network of bonded fibers. The weight ratio of the foamable composition to the fibrous layer is in the range from about 30 to 1 to about 2000 to 1 and the foamable composition at least partially encompasses the fibrous layer.

1. A cleansing article comprising:
 i) a foamable composition comprising:
 a) a foaming surfactant, 
 b) from about 0.1 to about 20% of a thermo-reversible gelling agent having a melting temperature between about 30° C. and about 80° C., 
 c) from about 20% to about 70% water 
 wherein the foamable composition is a semi-solid elastic gel having a compliance of about 0.06 to about 1 mm/gm/cm 2  when measured at a stress value of 3.95 gm/cm 2  by the Instron Indentation Test; and 
 
 ii) a fibrous layer comprising a continuous network of bonded fibers, have a porosity greater than about 0.95; 
 wherein the fibrous layer is a web comprised of fibers selected from polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, cellulose, modified or regenerated cellulose and blends thereof, and is at least partially encompassed by the foamable composition and wherein the weight ratio of the foamable composition to the fibrous layer is in the range from about 30 to 1 to about 2000 to 1, and wherein the cleansing article has the shape of a toilet bar. 
 
     
     
       2. The cleansing article according to  claim 1  wherein the thermo-reversible gelling agent is a polymer selected from proteins, polysaccharides and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       3. The cleansing article according to  claim 1  wherein the aqueous foamable composition comprises from about 0.1 to 50% of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, cationic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       4. The cleansing article according to  claim 3  wherein the anionic surfactant contains cations of which at least about 50% of the cations are nitrogenous. 
     
     
       5. The cleansing article according to  claim 1  wherein the aqueous foamable composition additionally comprises a gel strength modifying agent selected from the group consisting of mono-, di-, and tri-valent cations, synthetic or natural organic polymers, inorganic particles, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       6. The cleansing article according to  claim 1  wherein the article has a lather improvement factor greater than 1.2. 
     
     
       7. The cleansing article according to  claim 1  wherein the continuous network of bonded fibers has a Energy Loss of less than about 35%. 
     
     
       8. The cleansing article according to  claim 1  further comprising an aesthetic ingredient selected from the group consisting of fragrances, colorants, pigments, cosmetics, suspended bodies or blends thereof; a skin conditioning ingredient is selected from hydrophobic emollients and hydrophilic emollients or blends thereof, and a skin active material is selected from anti-wrinkle ingredients, skin lightening ingredients, vitamins, antimicrobial ingredients, acne medications, exfoliating agents, astringent ingredients, antioxidant ingredients, enzymes, sunscreen ingredients, and blends thereof. 
     
     
       9. The cleansing article according to  claim 1  wherein the fibrous layer is a 100% polyethylene terephthalate nonwoven bating layer. 
     
     
       10. The cleansing article according to  claim 1  wherein the article is suitable for multiple use by consumers. 
     
     
       11. The cleansing article according to  claim 1  wherein the aqueous foamable composition comprises from about 25% to about 60% water.